NBA veteran Paul George is slated to lose a considerable amount of money after he was suspended for violating the league’s anti-drug policy.
The drug that he tested positive for was not disclosed.
“Over the past few years, I’ve discussed the importance of mental health, and in the course of recently seeking treatment for an issue of my own, I made the mistake of taking an improper medication,” George said in a statement to ESPN.
George will be suspended for 25 games, effective beginning with the Sixers’ Jan. 31 game against New Orleans. After the fifth game, the Sixers can sign an additional player for the remainder of George’s suspension.
George’s contract with the Sixers is worth $51.67 million this season. According to the Associated Press, George forfeits about $11.7 million due to the suspension, or nearly $470,000 per game. He has earned over $400 million in his career, according to Spotrac.
George, a 9-time All-Star in his 16th NBA season, is averaging 16 points and 5.1 rebounds per game in 27 games. He missed the first 12 games of the season as he was recovering from knee surgery.
The Sixers are currently 26–21, ranked sixth in the Eastern Conference. The Sixers have 35 regular season games remaining. George would not be eligible to return to play until March 25 when the Sixers play Chicago at home.
